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Inglorious Takes Queen’s Plate

Inaugurated in 1860, the Queen’s Plate is a thoroughbred horse racing event that is the oldest in Canada’s racing history. It is run over a distance of one and a quarter miles, and is for horses that are three years of age. One of the requirements for the event is that the horses have to have been foaled in the country. The Woodbine Racetrack in Ontario is the host of this annual event. For the safety of horses and jockeys, the number of entrants is limited to seventeen. On Sunday, 26 June 2011, the Queen’s Plate was run for the 152nd time, and with a purse of $1 million, all the horses where in high gear.

Along with the other sixteen contenders, a very talented filly named Inglorious also entered the starting gates on Sunday. She is trained by Josie Carroll and owned by Donna and Vern Dubinsky. The Dubinsky’s had a wonderful run with a Hennesy mare named Careless Jewel, and when looking for another yearling in 2009, the Dubinsky’s did not let the opportunity to buy Inglorious pass, as she was also sired by Hennessy. She made her debut last year and has been going from strength to strength with each stride, boasting victories such as the Fanfreluche Stakes, Ontario Lassie Stakes and La Lorgnette.

Luis Contreras, a twenty-five year old jockey from Mexico City has been riding at Woodbine Racetrack for three years, but in previous years had to watch this prestigious race being run from the jockey’s room. This year, however, he was teamed up with Inglorious, and the two together proved to be an unstoppable team. Contreras’ plan was to remain close to Check Your Soul, who went off as race favorite, and with Inglorious being the easy mare she is, they quickly settled in the middle of the field, with Curgone and Oh Canada setting a good pace. As they came around the turn Contreras edged Inglorious towards the outside, giving her room to move, and the moment she starting gaining momentum, nothing was going to hold her back.

As calm and at ease as she was at the start of the race, Inglorious just picked up the pace and took the lead away from Hippotylus after passing the eighth pole. From there she widened the gap to win the 2011 Queen’s Plate more than two lengths in front of rest of the field. Contreras commented after the race that he would feel privileged to be a part of her future, as he believes that what she has given so far is only the tip of the iceberg of potential that Inglorious has to offer.